Operation Endurance

CHAPTER 36

Monday morning. Julie hadn’t been to work in two weeks, and normally she wouldn’t be here this morning, either, since it was Memorial Day. But the rest of the physical therapy department had worked too hard to cover for her already. She figured the least she could do was come in and begin clearing some of the backlog of paperwork.

Today was going to be the real test for her OCD. Only three lists. Already this morning, she kept finding herself beginning them mentally. She knew it was just nerves and stress, knowing how much work she’d have to catch up on. When the need arose, she’d just have to continue to use Dr. Eckert’s method and talk through why she needed to make a list. Knowing she used the lists as a crutch helped her to work through the emotions causing her stress.

But knowing that didn’t help the twitching need in her fingers for a pen and paper when she spotted Dr. Shelby in her doorway scowling at her. “What are you doing here?”

“Um, working? I called Melody last week and let her know I’d be back in today.”

He ran a hand through his hair and looked frustrated, but she wasn’t sure if she was the source of that frustration or not. He closed his eyes for a moment and then refocused on her. “Are you okay? Are you sure you’re ready to be back at work?”

“I’m feeling good. Really, I’ve done almost nothing but sleep for the last two weeks and my recovery is showing it. I promise you, I’m much better than before.”

He studied her until she began to feel self-conscious. “There does seem to be something about you,” he mused. “Something else has changed besides your health. What did you do?”

She straightened her spine. “I asked for help. I’m seeing a therapist.”

A smile spread across his face. “Good. That’s really good. Don’t expect miracles. You’ll have some setbacks, but I’m proud of you. That first step is always the hardest.”

And just like that the ball in her stomach dissipated. “Thank you, sir.”

He gave a quick glance toward the stack of files she was working on. “Well, I’ll let you get back to it then, but don’t exhaust yourself. If you need to go home early this week, do so. We need to keep you healthy from now on.” He stepped out of the room, but then leaned back in with a questioning gaze. “If you don’t mind my asking, who are you seeing?”

“Dr. Bart Eckert. I have a standing appointment with him on Friday’s, but I had Melody clear my schedule so that I’m only out of the office during my lunch break.”

“That’s fine. I’ve heard good things about him. He was a good choice.”



* * *



By late that afternoon, Julie was admittedly drooping energy-wise, so she headed down to the hospital coffee shop. She’d been digging through her purse as she stood in line for change when the man in front of her put his hands over hers and told her, “Don’t worry about it. I already paid for it. A venti mocha, right?”

She looked up into his weary blue eyes. “Brian! I’m so sorry. I didn’t even notice you standing in front of me. I must need the caffeine more than I thought I did. Thank you.”

They slid down the counter to wait for their drinks and Julie couldn’t help noticing the lines of fatigue on Brian’s face. “You look exhausted. Are you okay?”

He rubbed his hand over his face and grimaced. “Yeah, I have to admit I could use about twenty straight hours of sleep at this point, but it’s probably not going to happen.”

She knew he was working the rapist case, which with the escalation of that suspect to serial killer, probably just meant more pressure from the higher ups in his department. Poor Brian. It seemed like he was constantly overworked. “Do you ever think about quitting? You know, go do a job where you could live a normal life?” The barista handed them their drinks and they sat down at a little table together to chat.

He gave a dry, humorless chuckle. “Only every other day, but this is my job and it’s important, even if it’s rough a lot of the time. Someday I’ll probably have to make a choice between a life and the job, but right now, this is all I have so I’m okay doing it.”

And that was just sad. She’d forgotten the vow she’d made at the wedding to find someone for Brian. He deserved so much more than this half-life that would burn him out within the next five years. He needed something more.

He studied her. “So how are you feeling? I’m surprised you’re already back.”

“I’m good. I’ll be better after this caffeine, especially since it’s going to be a late night. Pete and I have a Krav Maga class tonight, although I’ll admit I plan to let him handle the bulk of the work on this one.”

“Pete?” Brian frowned down at his coffee cup. “Um, have you talked to him lately?”

“I didn’t talk to him, but I texted back and forth with him earlier to remind him about the class tonight. Actually, I texted with all three of the guys: Pete, Lyle, and Stephen.”

Brian glanced around the patrons around them, before turning back to Julie and lowering his voice. “I know Pete isn’t teaching the classes on behalf of the police department. It’s a volunteer thing, but you probably should know that he’s been suspended.”

She shook her head. “Pete Larson? Why? I don’t understand. Why would they suspend him? He didn’t mention it at all. When did this happen?”

“Julie,” he glanced around to make sure that no one was paying them any attention, “I can’t share any of the details, but he has some personal things going on that have interfered with his ability to do his job. Just keep an eye on him. Honestly, I’d be surprised if he even showed up tonight. If he does, though, don’t let on you know about the suspension unless he says something about it. I probably shouldn’t have even mentioned it.” The scowl deepened between his eyes. “You have my cell number, right? Call me if there are any problems.”

Julie frowned. What kind of problems could Pete be having that would cause Brian this kind of concern? “My friend, Toni, is dating him. Should I tell her something? You’re acting like maybe he could be dangerous.”

“No, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you that impression. He’s just been acting a little erratic lately. It’s really just an administrative issue, but he hasn’t handled the stress of a situation well. I wouldn’t want that to negatively affect your classes or students, especially not now when they need the training you’re providing.”

“Okay,” she said, nodding slowly, worried about what this might mean for Pete and his future with the police department, and even what this might mean for him and Toni.



* * *



When Julie arrived at Krav Maga class that night, both Lyle and Stephen were there, but there wasn’t any sign of Pete.

“Have you heard from him?” she asked the guys.

They both shook their heads and exchanged worried glances, but obviously didn’t want to break Pete’s confidence. Toni was in this class and even she was unusually subdued as she kept an eye on the doorway, watching for him, too. He did finally arrive fifteen minutes before class ended, and this was a much different-looking Pete than Julie was used to seeing.

Normally, Pete was clean-cut with his dimples flashing constantly as he shared flirty smiles. He now had a couple of days of dark stubble on his jaw, bloodshot eyes, and a flat-lined mouth that spoke more about his state of mind than anything. Julie hated to see him this stressed out. He gave her a weak apologetic smile but it came nowhere close to touching the sadness in his eyes.

At this point in the class the students were practicing the moves, so Pete settled right into the class, helping to correct form and technique throughout the classroom to those who needed it. Julie didn’t get a chance to talk to him until almost all the students had left. He’d leaned up against the wall with his eyes shut and his head leaned back, the tension in his muscles obvious.

She laid her hand on his arm. “Are you okay?”

His eyes were so full of pain and sadness, she physically hurt for him. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just been a long difficult week. It will be over soon.”

And it was only Monday, but she figured he was talking about whatever the issue was with the police department. “Do you want to talk about it?”

He shook his head, but smiled tiredly at Toni who walked up beside her. “Not right now, but I may take you up on that sometime soon. Thanks, Julie. I’m sorry I was late tonight.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just take care of you. Y’all have a good night. The guys and I can finish up with the rest here.”

They walked out, Pete with his arm around Toni’s waist. She hoped his problems didn’t hurt their new relationship.

Lyle walked up also looking at the couple. “Man, this sucks.”

“Yes, it does. Whatever’s going on, I hope he gets it straightened out soon.” They all needed that for him. His two friends hadn’t been left unscathed by his situation as they appeared almost as distressed as he did. Whatever was going on in the Lubbock PD was taking its toll on all its officers. Having dealt with several of them on a regular basis, these guys knew how to handle stress, but none of them seemed to be at the height of efficiency right now.

Lyle nodded and pressed his lips together in thought.

With a serial killer loose and becoming more and more unpredictable, the guys of the Lubbock PD needed to be on their game.